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S. Liliana Escobar-Chaves, DrPH, Center for Health Promotion Research and Development, University of Texas-Houston, 7000 Fannin, 26th floor, Houston, TX 77030, 713-500-9637, lescobar@sph.uth.tmc.edu, Susan Tortolero, PhD, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas - Houston, 7000 Fannin, Ste 2622, Houston, TX 77030, Christine M. Markham, PhD, Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas-Houston, 7000 Fannin, 26th floor, Houston, TX 77030, and Asha Kapadia, PhD, School of Public Health, University of Texas, 1200 Herman Pressler, Houston, TX 77030.
Objectives: To document mass media consumption and its influence in sexual risk-taking behavior among youth attending 10 alternative schools in Southwest, Texas. Design: This study presents secondary analysis of data from Safer Choices 2 two waves baseline data collection, conducted from November 2000 to February 2001 and from November 2001 to February 2002 among 955 students attending 10 alternative schools in Southwest Texas. The Safer Choices 2 survey incorporated questions related to demographics, sexual behaviors, and mass media. Results: The population was predominantly female (57.9%) and Latino (58.5%). The mean age of sexual initiation for males was 13.4 years (SD 2.2) and for females 14.1 years. TV consumption and computer use were not related to any sex risk behaviors. Females who reported preference for watching TV programs that show sex were 2.2 times more likely to ever have sex than their counterparts (95% confidence interval CI = 1.25, 3,86, p=0.006), and 3.32 times more likely to have more than one partner during the last three months (95% CI =1.50, 7.55, p=0.004). A protective effect against ever having sex was observed among females who reported having rules at home for watching TV [OR= 0.57, 95% CI=0.34, 0.97, p=0.037]. Conclusions: Among Houston alternative school students preference for TV programs that show sex was strongly associated with ever have sex and having rules at home for watching TV present a protective effect for sexual risk-taking behavior. No association was found between amount of TV consumption and amount of computer used and sexual risk taking behaviors.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Media
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.